Amid plummeting U.S. military morale over Iraq debacle: Lt. Gen. John Vines and his special assistant both retire.

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November 30, 2006 -- Morale in Army and Marines plummets as Iraq situation reaches calamity stage and top commanders retire.

Amid plummeting morale among U.S. troops in Iraq comes word that two of the troops' most admired commanders have just announced their retirements. Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, the commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps, who was so highly thought of by his troops in Iraq, they has "Vines" listed as their religion on their dog tags, has announced his retirement. Vines said health reasons did not make him confident that he could successfully "lead from the front" again in Iraq. Vines chose a Fayetteville, North Carolina City Council meeting on Nov. 27 to announce his retirement. He was at the meeting to accept a key to the city. Vines commanded the 82nd Airborne Division, NATO forces in Afghanistan, and coalition forces in Iraq.

Amid plummeting U.S. military morale over Iraq debacle: Lt. Gen. John Vines and his special assistant both retire.

Perhaps no coincidentally, Vines' special assistant, Brig. Gen. James Cerrone, who lost his First Lieutenant son, Michael Cerrone, in Samarra, Iraq last month in a car bombing, also announced his retirement after 29 years of service.

Vines has been an outspoken critic of the failure of the Bush administration to provide adequate support for the military and civilian infrastructure improvement effort in Iraq.

Wayne Madsen Report